This Mother With Cancer Fought to Get Married Before She Dies — And Won

When Niki Quasney was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in 2009, her main concern was for her family — her partner and two children who would be left without legal protection because the state of Indiana refused to recognize her marriage to partner Amy Sandler. But now they can finally rest easy. On Tuesday, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency appeal filed by Lambda Legal for Indiana to recognize Quasney and Sandler's marriage.

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Quasney and Sandler, who were married in Massachusetts in 2013, are among the plaintiffs in Baskin v. Bogan, which struck down Indiana's gay marriage ban. But the state is currently appealing the ruling, and the Seventh Circuit has issued a stay on the decision until they hear the case. Lambda Legal stepped in and successfully argued that, given the state of Quasney's health, she, Sandler, and their children could not wait any longer for the protections of marriage. Their two children are 1 and 3 years of age. Quasney has had over 100 tumors surgically removed and has gone through years of chemotherapy. During what must be a horribly difficult time for their family, Quasney and Sandler need the comfort and stability of knowing that their marriage is protected in their home state.

When the district court ruled to overturn the same-sex marriage ban, the state of Indiana was specifically directed to recognize Sandler and Quasney's marriage while the case worked its way to the appeals court. That decision was interrupted by the emergency stay requested by Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoller, though it's hard to imagine how recognizing the legal partnership of a dying woman could be construed as a situation requiring emergency intervention. The couple was once again in a precarious state until Lamba Legal's appeal was granted July 1. They will now be protected as the case moves forward. In response to Sandler and Quasney's situation, the Seventh Circuit has also set an expedited schedule for Baskin v. Bogan, with arguments in the case expected as soon as the end of the summer. There is still hope that Niki Quasney will see full legal recognition for same-sex marriage in Indiana within her lifetime.

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There is simply no reason to deny legal protections to a terminally ill woman, her spouse, and their family. Indeed, there's no good reason to deny them to anyone. Though the necessity is especially obvious in Quasney's case, it's important to remember that even the healthiest couples could find themselves dealing with illness or loss, and in need of the protections and benefits of marriage, at any time. No one wants to lose someone they love, but there is some small comfort in knowing that the family left behind will be recognized as a family and taken care of accordingly. Amy Sadler and Niki Quasney deserve that comfort, and so do all families.